Intel Capital (which invests through Intel Pacific Inc which is a subsidiary of Intel Corporation) and Enam Securities have picked up stake in MEL for an undisclosed amount. ``Intel and Enam have picked up a substantial stake in the company. But, details of the investment cannot be revealed at present,'' Mr Mehta said.

The investment will be used to expand Maya Entertainments' operations in India, which provides computer graphics and animation for Indian film, television and advertising industries. A part of the money will also be used to upgrade Maya's digital technology and increase its studio's production capacity. The company is planning an investment of around Rs 20 crore which will partly fund setting up of the largest computer animation studio in Asia, Mr Mehta said.

Besides, around Rs 10 crore will be invested in producing films and television software. With the company roping in Enam and Intel as partners, its first round of funding is completed. The company has recently expanded operations to include digital effects for films and the creation of content for computer games, the Internet and educational CD-ROMs.

The company is one of the largest producers of original digital content for the infotainment industry in India and has provided content for film, television and advertising, including India's first sci-fi television series, Captain Vyom.

Intel Capital invests in companies that help expand Internet use and drive the Internet economy. Established in 1996, Maya Entertainment has been promoted by Mr Ketan Mehta, Ms Deepa Sahi (actress, writer and producer) and Concept Communications, an advertising agency. The company has expanded the use of interactive media in India and the role of computer technology in the Indian audio/visual arena.

The company has three divisions - Maya Entertainment Software, Maya Movie Magic and Maya Interactive. The divisions are into film and television production, computer animation and post-production, interactive entertainment and educational CD-ROMs